Vanda Archi

Vanda Archi is an Italian ceramist in constant evolution. From her first unfired clay figures to her recent works integrating ceramic and gilded metal, her works express her inner self through faces, pensive busts, gathered bodies, and figures wrapped in ribbons symbolizing protection and transcendence. Sculptural petaled hair, textured surfaces, and the use of techniques inspired by kintsugi complete a unique and recognizable artistic language.

Each of her sculptures is born from the manual working of clay, without the use of molds. The forms emerge through a meditative process of construction and subtraction. High-temperature firing gives the works their characteristic velvety surface, with shades ranging from pearl gray to the warm tones of terracotta. Golden veins run through some works, inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi, which highlights fractures as part of the object’s history.

At YouNique 2026, Vanda Archi will bring over twenty works based on three of her subjects: the busts, pensive figures, hair composed of petals and leaves, and thoughtful poses with intertwined arms; the figures, bodies in yoga and meditative poses, curled-up figures exploring interiority and fragility; and the installations, mixed ceramic and metal works: figures wrapped in ribbons and golden rings on textured bases.